Control mechanism for the take-up roll of a winding machine



Nov. 9, 1965 J WHITE 3,216,279

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR THE TAKE-UP ROLL OF A WINDING MACHINE Filed Dec.26, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l I M 42 24 Q. 4/ PUMP 52 /5 /40 pumtgfi 46 2//6 a4 6 78 INVENTOR JOSEPH H. WHITE BY flmlow W144,

ATTORNEYS.

2 SheetsSheet 2 J. H. WHITE INVENTOR JOSEPH H. WHITE ATTORNEYS CONTROLMECHANISM FOR THE TAKE-UP ROLL OF A WINDING MACHINE Nov. 9, 1965 FiledDec.

United States Patent 3,216,279 CONTROL MECHANISM FOR THE TAKE-UP ROLL OFA WINDING MACHINE Joseph H. White, Centredale, R.I. (F arnum Pike,Esmond, R.I.) Filed Dec. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 247,023 Claims. (Cl. 74-675)This invention relates to a machine which will wind web material such asfabric, paper, film, wire or the like from a starting small diameter toa roll or reel of any required diameter or will act in the oppositemanner to control the unwinding of such a package.

In the use of machines of this character heretofore, the material to bewound has usually been supplied to the machine or winder at a constantspeed, and some complications have ensued in maintaining the tension atthe take-up package uniform due to the changing diameter of the packageas the material is wound or unwound thereon. A change of revolutions perminute of the take-up package is necessary, and this is usually takencare of by the means of a slipping belt. Also as the takeup packagechanges in diameter, its weight changes requiring a different amount ofhorsepower to drive it, which is another variable which must be takeninto consideration.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a mechanical meansfor automatically holding the tension on the work the same throughoutthe operation of the take-up roll.

Another object of this invention is to provide frictionless means whichwill automatically hold the tension the same throughout the entire rollas the reeling occurs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanical means foraccomplishing this uniform tension so that the attention of the operatormay be reduced to a minimum.

Another object of the invention is to provide a control which willprovide a light tension or substantially tensionless web as it isaccumulated on a roll up to any diameter.

Another object of the invention is to provide adjustments so that themachine may be set to accommodate the reeling or unreeling of webmaterial of varying thicknesses.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certainnovel features of construction as will be more fully described andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating diagrammatically the hook-up ofthe various mechanisms which go into accomplishing the desired result;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a fragmental portion of the machineillustrating a part of the control mechanism;

FIG. 3 is an elevation of the portion shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view of a part of the differential mechanism; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view on substantially lines 55 of FIG. 4.

In proceeding with this invention, I interpose a differential mechanismbetween the driving shaft and driven shaft which latter is used forrotating the take-up package. The differential mechanism employs a unitwhich is interposed between the two shafts and which itself is rotatablerelative to both of said shafts. I control this unit by causing it tooperate a pressure fluid system which may be throttled so as to vary theload which is applied to the unit and thus control the driven shaft withrelation to the driving shaft which may be maintained at a constantspeed. This throttle is then controlled from the driven shaft of thedifferential, which drives the take-up package, by an arrangement whichis adjustable so as to reflect the size of the package as it changes insize and to control the throttle accordingly so that the driven shaftwill change speed as the size of the package changes so as to maintain aconstant tension on the web being wound. Conveniently I may use a leverinterposed in the throttle control and apply a constant pressure on thislever at varying locations along the lever in time with the build-up ofthe package. This pressure on the lever may conveniently be had by afluid system which may be adjusted to apply a desired selected pressureon the lever.

With reference to the drawings, the take-up roll is designated 10mounted on a shaft 11. Shaft 11 is driven from the electric motor 12with a differential mechanism 13 interposed in the line of drive. Driveshaft 14 of this differential mechanism is driven directly from themotor 12 through belts 15 at a constant speed. Driven shaft 16 of thisdifferential mechanism drives jack shaft 17 through belt 18, and thisshaft in turn drives the shaft 11 through belt 19.

This differential mechanism 13 as generally shown in FIG. 5 of my Patent2,599,795 and modified as hereinafter explained includes a unit 86 whichis relatively rotatable with reference to both of the shafts 14 and 16,and this relatively rotatable unit has a sprocket which through chain 84is connected to a pump 20 through a coupling 21 and shaft 22 so as todrive the pump. This pump draws oil from a reservoir 23 through conduit24 and drives this liquid through conduit 25 and through the throttlingvalve 26 back to the reservoir 23 through conduit 27. A relief valve 28may be connected across the lines 25 and 27 so as to take care of anyexcess pressure developed by the pump 20. This valve 28 acts as a safetyvalve for protection for the mechanism. It is normally maintained closedunless the pressure is excessive. Plunger 30 of the valve 26 moves toopen or close the passage 31 to it from the pump so as to throttle theliquid in the system operated by the pump 20 and thus put more load orless load upon the pump 20 and consequently on the rotatable unit of thedifferential 13. Movement of this plunger 30 is accomplished through alever 32 fulcrummed as at 33 which engages the piston rod 34 at 35spaced from the pivot 33.

A second hydraulic circuit having a pump 37 which draws liquid from thereservoir 23 through conduit 38 and discharges this liquid throughconduit 39 and through conduit 40 in which there is a throttling valve41 interposed back to the reservoir 23. This valve 41 may be throttledby means of a handle 42 so as to apply the desired amount of pressure inline 43 and flexible conduit 44 to an actuating cylinder 45. The amountof this pressure will be shown on dial 46. This pressure in the line 44transferred to the cylinder 45 will apply substantially a constantpressure on the lever arm 32. The point of application of this pressureto the lever arm may be varied by movement of the cylinder 45 by screwmeans designated generally 47 so as to vary the location of applicationof pressure to the lever 32. This screw means will be rotated from thedriven shaft 16 through some suitable belt connection 48 to aninfinitely variable speed device 49 and from this device 49 through belt59 to drive the threaded mechanism 47.

The threaded mechanism designated generally 47 and cylinder 45 arefurther illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The cylinder 45 is equippedwith a bracket 50 and a second bracket 51 at spaced locations thereon,the bracket 50 having a threaded bore 52 for the accommodationtherethrough of the threaded shaft 53, while the bracket 51 has athreaded bore 54 for the accommodation therethrough of the threadedshaft 55. It will be noted that one of theseshafts is above and one ofthese shafts is below or on opposite sides of the cylinder 45 and serveto provide a very secure and balanced mounting for the cylinder 45,especially as the brackets have a substantial length of bore throughwhich the threaded shafts extend. These shafts are connected together bysprockets 56 on shaft 53 and 57 on shaft 55 through a sprocket chain 58so that they will rotate in unison and thus carry the cylinder 45 alongthese shafts as they rotate. The cylinder 45 is equipped with a pair ofrollers 60 and 61 at one end which engage a flat surface 62 of theframework of the machine so as to be supported at this end as thecylinder moves along by means of the operation of the screw shafts. Apiston is located in this cylinder 45 which is urged under the pressurein the second hydraulic system through the flexible tube 44 at aconstant pressure to force the piston rod 63 outwardly of the cylinder.This piston rod carries a clevis 64 with a roller 65 which engages in agroove track 66 in the lever 32 'pivoted as at 33 in the framework ofthe mechanism.

There is also shown in this view the end 35 of the connecting rod 34which operates the throttle valve 30. Thus as the lever 32 moves, thisthrottle valve 30 will move in accordance with the pressure applied andthe location of the application of pressure by the hydraulic cylinder45.

After a package is completed, it is desirable to return the cylinder 45to its starting position, and this is accomplished by motor 70 (FIG. 1)connected to shaft 55 through a slipping clutch 105 by a sprocket chain71 and sprocket gear 72 on the end of shaft 55 so that this hydrauliccylinder 45 may be returned to its starting position during the packagechange. Energy is supplied to motor 70 from source 75 through line 76 tonormally open switch 77 and from thence through line 78 throughreversing switch 79 to motor 70 and from thence through line 80 throughnormally closed switch 81 back to the supply through line 82. Thearrangement is such that when the package is removed or when the clutch106 is disengaged, the switch at 77 will be closed, thus completing thecircuit to energize the motor 70 and drive the shafts through thesprocket chain 71 to starting position where the switch 81 will beopened by the cylinder movement and stop the cylinder 45 in its startingposition.

The differential mechanism is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4 and andis designated generally 13, and as here illustrated, there is thedriving shaft 14 and the driven shaft 16 heretofore referred to andwhich are both rotatably mounted in unit 86 which is cross-hatched andwhich unit is rotatable relative to both of these shafts and carriesgear 85 from which shaft 22 is driven through chain 84. Ball bearings 87mount the shaft 14 in the unit, while ball bearings 88 mount the shaft16 in the unit. A chain mechanism carried in the unit is utilized forconnecting the shafts 14 and 16 for rotation in opposite directions.Gear 89 on shaft 14 drives gear 90 through a suitable sprocket chain 92to rotate a shaft 91 supported in the unit. Gear 93 on shaft 91 drivesgear 94 through a suitable sprocket chain 96 to rotate shaft 95supported. on the unit, and gear 97 on shaft 95 serves to drive gear 98on shaft 16 in the reverse direction by sprocket chain 99 which istrained about gear 100 on shaft 101, gear 102 on shaft 104 and thenceabout gear 98 as shown in FIG. 4, thus applying a reverse direction toshaft 16. This chain drive provides for a much quieter drive than wherebevelled gears are utilized for a differential motion.

In some cases it may be desirable to provide the main driving motor 12as a variable speed motor and to supply a connection 103 from thecontrol mechanism to this motor so as to vary the speed of the motor aspoweris required from the motor, thus providing a means of conservingpower which will be especially important where heavy loads are beinghandled.

In operation of this mechanism, it will be apparent that the motor 12supplies the power for driving the take-up package 10 through thedifierential mechanism 13 by applying power on the driving shaftv 14which will, in turn, through its driven shaft 16 supply driving torqueto the package. The differential unit 86 which is coupled to the firsthydraulic circuit will by means of the throttle valve 26 control thedesired amount of torque which is given to the driven shaft 16 from theinput shaft 14, and that power which is not supplied to the driven shaft16 will be taken up by the differential unit 86 driving the pump.

For example, if the input shaft 14 is made to turn 300 revolutions perminute and the output shaft is held stationary, the unit 86 will turnrpm. in the same direction as the input shaft 14. Some suitable gearratio may be provided between this unit 86 and the shaft 22 which iscoupled to the pump 20. If the output shaft is allowed to go free, itwill turn at the same speed as the input shaft and in the oppositedirection with the unit 86 held stationary. When the wound material isattached to the output shaft, it will turn at a speed at which thematerial will allow it to turn, the tension on the material holding thespeed to the required revolutions given at any diameter. As the take-uproll increases in diameter, cylinder 45 moves to the left and movesplunger 30 upwardly toward its closed position thus increasing thepressure in line 25. The pressure at the pump increases in directproportion to the increase in diameter of the roll if constant tensionis to be maintained. This is accomplished by setting the variable speedunit 49 to a setting where the cylinder advances away from the pivot 33at such a speed that the position of the cylinder 45 is always at thecorrect point on the lever arm 32. The infinitely variable speed unit 49will be adjusted in accordance with the thickness of the web materialwhich is being wound so that the advance of the cylinder 45 will be therequired amount to vary the throttling to supply the desired tension onthe web as it is wound. This increase of pressure puts more lead on thepump in direct proportion to the diameter of the batch roll andcontinues to whatever size the roll is wound. Thus the turning powersupplied goes into the output shaft putting extra torque onto the outputshaft. This increased torque keeps the constant, if desired, tension onthe web as the roll gets bigger.

It will, of course, be apparent that this same control may be applied tounwinding the web as to winding the web except that the cylinder 45 willoperate in the reverse direction.

I claim:

1. A mechanism for connection to a take-up roll comprising a drivingshaft, a driven shaft for operating the take-up roll, a differentialmechanism connecting said shafts including a unit relatively rotatablewith reference to both shafts, a pressure fluid system including a pumpdriven from said unit and adjustable meansfor throttling the flowthrough said system to load the pump and load the unit to control thedriven shaft, means independent of the work take-up roll and operablefrom said driven shaft for adjusting said throttling means.

2. A mechanism as in claim 1 wherein the said independent means includesa pressure device and adjustable means for maintaining said device atconstant pressure..

3. A mechanism as in claim 1 wherein the said independent means includesa fluid pressure cylinder and a second pressure fluid system and meansfor maintaining a constant pressure insaid cylinder.

.4. A mechanism as in claim 1 wherein the said in- References Cited bythe Examiner depenlmlient means includes a pivoted lever connected toUNITED STATES PATENTS said t rottling means and means to app y aconstant pressure at varying locations along said lever. 2,563,660 8/51Reb ut 242 75'53 5. A mechanism as in claim 1 wherein the said in- 52599795 6/52 Whltfl 242 75-53 X dependent means includes a pivoted leverconnected to 2538285 5/53 MacQuame et 24275-53 said throttling means andmeans to apply a constant pres- DON A. W AITE, Primary Examiner sure tosaid lever at progressively different distances from the pivot of saidlever. MERVIN STEIN, Examiner.

1. A MECHANISM FOR CONNECTION TO A TAKE-UP ROLL COMPRISING A DRIVINGSHAFT, A DRIVEN SHAFT FOR OPERATING THE TAKE-UP ROLL, A DIFFERENTIALMECHANISM CONNECTING SAID SHAFTS INCLUDING A UNIT RELATIVELY ROTATABLEWITH REFERENCE TO BOTH SHAFTS, A PRESSURE FLUID SYSTEM INCLUDING A PUMPDRIVEN FROM SAID UNIT AND ADJUSTABLE MEANS FOR THROTTLING THE FLOWTHROUGH SAID SYSTEM TO LOAD THE PUMP AND LOAD THE UNIT TO CONTROL THEDRIVEN SHAFT, MEANS INDEPENDENT OF THE WORK TAKE-UP ROLL AND OPERABLEFROM SAID DRIVEN SHAFT FOR ADJUSTING SAID THROTTLING MEANS.